When it comes to vehicle maintenance, windscreen damage is one of the most common – and frustrating – issues. Windscreen cracks or chips are especially frustrating because the car is still, theoretically, perfectly fine to drive. However, just because you COULD drive with a damaged windscreen, it doesn’t mean that you SHOULD.
This week, we will discuss when it is OK to drive with a damaged windscreen – and when it is not, as well as what you should do when you notice the damage.
Causes of windscreen damage
The most obvious (and common) cause of windscreen damage is impact from debris thrown up from the road. A small stone can cause some serious damage when you are driving at high speed and most drivers have experienced that moment of panic when a bit of gravel hits the screen.
Avoid driving too close to vehicles in front to avoid flying gravel.
In addition to impact (from gravel or any other items, such as branches or footballs), windscreen cracks can appear as a result of poor fitting, substandard glass or, most likely, sudden changes in the temperature.
Park your car in a garage or sheltered area if you can, and avoid parking near playing children!
Driving with a damaged windscreen
Noticing that your windscreen is damaged is enough to turn a good day bad. Before you do anything, you need to work out whether you can drive with the damage and this will depend on the size, nature and location of the crack or chip.
As a driver, you are legally required to have a full, unhindered view of the road. Imagine the two arched areas formed by standard windscreen wipers. If a chip or crack obstructs your view, you must not drive until it is repaired or replaced.
Can you repair a chip or crack?
The centre of the arch in front of the steering wheel is Zone A – either side of that arch is Zone B. The arch in front of the passenger is Zone C and any area outside of those arches is Zone D.
- In Zone A – chips up to 10mm can be repaired
- In Zone B – it is possible to repair chips up to 15mm
- In Zone C – 25mm chips are repairable and
- In Zone D – the limit for repairing chips goes up to 40mm.
Cracks are a little harder to repair and will depend on the depth. If the crack is clear on the inside and outside of the glass, it won’t be possible to repair it. Additionally, if the crack has increased in size, it will probably continue to do so and a replacement will be necessary.
If you notice a chip or a crack
If you notice a small chip (less than 10 mm) keep an eye on it and remember to get it filled in by a specialist to prevent it getting any bigger. For significant damage, drive immediately to a local windscreen specialist or call out a mobile service to avoid driving illegally.
Check out our directory for windscreen professionals near you, and follow Trust A Garage on Facebook or Twitter for more tips and advice.